Geely’s RAV4-rivalling GX 7 SUV will soon find its way to South Africa, complete with seating for seven.
he GX 7 is Geely’s first utility vehicle and made its official debut at the 2012 Beijing International Motor Show. According to the firm, it will be regarded as China’s safest SUV having earned a 5+-star rating in the Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) – possibly an upshot of its acquisition of Volvo in 2010.
Measuring in at 4 540 mm long, 1 835 mm wide and 1 700 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2 661 mm, the GX 7 will initially be offered with a rear-wheel drivetrain set-up with a range-topping AWD model in the pipeline.
Among the GX 7’s overseas standard features are Bluetooth and a touchscreen sat-nav/audio system and other high-tech devices. In addition to the legroom offered by the aforementioned 2 661 mm wheelbase, the second-row seats feature slide adjusters to apportion space between leg- and luggage room.
A choice of petrol two petrol engines (1,8- and 2,0-litre) will initially be offered, but a 2,4-litre petrol (199 kW/220 N.m) and 2,0-litre turbodiesel are expected to join the line-up later this year. Prior to its acquisition of Volvo, Geely bought Australian transmission manufacturer Drivetrain Systems International (DSI). Thusly, the flagship AWD model will be fitted with a Geely-DS- six-speed automatic transmission.
We can expect the GX-7 to arrive on the local market within the next year or two.
